History of pizza with interesting fun facts

 pizza. The ultimate comfort food that's loved by millions around the world. It's hard to imagine a world without this cheesy delight, but did you know that pizza was initially considered "poor man's food"? Yes, you heard that right! But little did people know that this simple dish would go on to conquer the world.

It all started in ancient Rome, where the concept of pizza began as focaccia - a flatbread topped with an array of spices, herbs, cheese, olives, honey, and nuts. Fast forward to the 17th century in Naples, Italy, where pizza began to gain some popularity. The Naples cooks started adding tomatoes, garlic, cheese, anchovies, and fish to their flatbread, and they even folded the dough into a calzone-like shape. Fun fact: they named this baked dish "laganea," which eventually evolved into the word "pizza" that we know and love today.

However, it wasn't until the 19th century when pizza truly became a global phenomenon. The story goes that in 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy invited a local Naples chef, Raffaele Esposito, to make her some pizza in the royal palace kitchen. Chef Esposito prepared three kinds of pizza, but the queen loved the one with mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil the most. It was like the national flag of Italy, and he named it after her. And thus, the iconic Margherita pizza was born!

As Italian immigrants started settling in America, they brought their love for pizza with them. The first pizzerias opened in the United States in the early 1900s, and the rest is history. From New York-style pizza to deep-dish pizza in Chicago, pizza has become a staple in American cuisine.

But did you know that the Hawaiian pizza, with its controversial pineapple topping, was not invented in Hawaii? Nope, it was actually created by a Greek-born Canadian named Sam Panopoulos! He added pineapple, bacon, or ham to his pizza, and it became a hit. And for all the pepperoni lovers out there, you can thank American chef Patsy Lancieri for popularizing it as a pizza topping.

Nowadays, you can find all sorts of pizza variations - from vegan pizzas to pizzas without cheese. And let's not forget the thick crust pizza, which has become a fan favorite. While the best pizza is still found in Naples, pizza lovers around the world can enjoy their own local twists on this beloved dish.

So next time you bite into a slice of pizza, remember its humble beginnings as a simple flatbread in ancient Rome, and how it went on to conquer the world, one slice at a time.